McLaren to rotate 'third' job
(GMMf1NET -- May.20) McLaren testers Alex Wurz and Pedro de la Rosa will alternate the 'third' driver role at grands prix.

Wurz, the Austrian, took to the MP4-20 cockpit at Monaco, after de la Rosa - a more recent addition to the Woking lineup - drove around Barcelona.

''We will switch between the two for the rest of the season,'' said a team spokesman.








DC may bare all
(GMMf1NET -- May.20) Girls around Monte Carlo, prepare to rejoice.

Earlier this week in Monaco, Red Bull driver David Coulthard - recently voted by a magazine as the third most handsome on the grid - vowed to 'drop my pants' if he lands on the podium on Sunday.

After going third quickest in Thursday practice, the 34-year-old Scot blushed: ''I hope I've not been too rash.''








Engine Trulli intact
(GMMf1NET -- May.20) Toyota's Jarno Trulli has downplayed an earlier worry about his Monte Carlo-spec engine.

The Italian, who powered the same two-race unit to the Barcelona podium, later admitted that he had sensed a fault.

Under 2005 rules, though, an engine change for Monaco would cost ten - crucial - grid spots.

''Regarding the engine,'' Trulli said after Thursday practice, ''no problem at all.''

In fact, despite initially failing to shine on the track, last year's Monaco winner - albeit for Renault - refused to rule out the double.

''This is the only race,'' Jarno said, ''where you can't really expect anything. I may win even from the back of the grid.''








Safer testing plan backed
(GMMf1NET -- May.20) David Coulthard's fellow Grand Prix Drivers' Association directors have backed the Scot's quest for better safety at F1 testing locations.

Jarno Trulli echoed the claim that conditions at tests are 'not as good' as at grands prix.

''We want to push the teams, the FIA, everyone, to raise the standard,'' said the Italian.

A third director, Williams' Mark Webber, added that the crucial issue is the quality of 'medical backup' in the event of bad smashes at tests.

''It's absolutely full on at races,'' the 28-year-old Australian said, ''but it is a bit shallow when we are testing.

''It needs to be addressed quite quickly.''








EJ slammed
(GMMf1NET -- May.20) Jordan-Midland 'managing director' Colin Kolles has criticized the team's former F1 management for badly handling the sale of its Brackley wind tunnel.

It was recently reported that team founder Eddie Jordan ordered that locks be changed at the facility after new owner Alex Shnaider missed a deadline to complete the deal.

But Kolles claims Midland took up the 'option' to buy the tunnel by the 31 March deadline.

''The other side didn't act correctly,'' he told Autosport magazine, ''and (they) went and changed the locks.''

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